Oregon State forward Jarmal Reid (32) and USC guard J.T. Terrell, back right, fight for a rebound during the first half in Los Angeles. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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USC forward Dewayne Dedmon collides with Oregon State guard Roberto Nelson, right, as he tries to get by during the first half in Los Angeles. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Oregon State forward Devon Collier shoots over USC center Omar Oraby for a basket during the first half in Los Angeles. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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USC forward Aaron Fuller, left, and Oregon State forward Joe Burton react to a basket giving USC the lead late during the second half in Los Angeles. Southern Cal won 69-68. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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USC guard J.T. Terrell shoots over Oregon State guard Challe Barton during the second half in Los Angeles. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

USC center Omar Oraby, right, and guard Byron Wesley, back left, double-team Oregon State guard Roberto Nelson and stop him from scoring during the second half in Los Angeles. GUS RUEAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES – Bob Cantu had his first "uh-oh" moment as USC's interim basketball coach Saturday night. By the end of the game, though, Cantu looked as fresh, energized and excited as any of his players.

The Trojans led Oregon State by 15 points early in the second half and looked on their way to an easy, momentum-building victory. USC lost all of that lead, though, and needed a couple big plays down the stretch to pull out a 69-68 victory in a Pac-12 game in front of 3,963 at Galen Center.

Aaron Fuller's layup with 4.8 seconds left, followed by some stout USC defense at the buzzer, allowed the Trojans to hold on and gave Cantu his first victory as a college head coach, at the end of a difficult week.

On Monday morning, Cantu learned that Kevin O'Neill had been fired and that USC had tabbed him as the interim coach for the final 14 games. The Trojans nearly pulled an upset of No. 21 Oregon on Thursday but came up two points short, and Cantu avoided more heartbreak against the Beavers, narrowly.

"I feel great," Cantu said. "When a 15-point lead starts evaporating, your blood pressure definitely goes up a little bit. I'm excited. I'm feeling more and more comfortable every day. I'm just happy for our guys. They're a great bunch of guys and they work hard. It's been a tough week for them."

The Trojans (8-11, 3-3) kept the Beavers (10-8, 0-5) winless in conference, and now face arguably the toughest part of their schedule, with road games against Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA.

USC has some work remaining, to be certain. The Trojans committed 20 turnovers and struggled against Oregon State's unexpected 1-3-1 zone. Point guard Jio Fontan had 10 turnovers and two assists in 34 minutes. USC struggled from the perimeter, as shooting guard J.T. Terrell went 4 for 13 from the field.

There were positives, though. USC's defense held the Beavers to a 42.9 shooting percentage and, offensively, the Trojans had improved success at getting high-percentage shots around the basket.

USC's post players struggled again —- Dewayne Dedmon and Omar Oraby combined for seven points —- but versatile Byron Wesley (19 points) and Eric Wise (18 points) were able to get the ball in good position, either for layups or to draw fouls. USC's new coach encouraged a new offensive attitude.

"Cantu, he just has a different philosophy," Wesley said. "He wants us to get the ball and push it, be aggressive."

Wise, in particular, factored big late in the game. USC seemed on its way to an easy victory when the Trojans opened the second half with a 7-0 run and took a 46-31 lead less than two minutes in.

USC turnovers fueled an 18-2 Oregon State run over the next seven minutes. The Beavers took a one-point lead and the game stayed close, with the lead changing hands eight times in the last three minutes.

After a too-easy layup by Joe Burton put the Beavers up, 68-67, with 12 seconds left, Terrell found Fuller down low and Fuller made a layup. The Beavers were then unable to hit the rim as time expired, and the Trojans celebrated Cantu's first victory.

"It's extremely exciting," Wesley said. "He's been here 12 years (as an assistant). To be part of his first win, I couldn't be more excited for him."

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